Long hours, short breaks, and folding something just to have it thrown on the floor 5 minutes later are just a few of the joys of working retail. You may think "Oh that doesn't sound too bad." BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! You are also asked a variety of the same questions every day and have to give a pleasant, well-informed answer. Next time you are shopping and thinking of asking one of the following questions: stop and think of this post.
Here's just a few of the daily questions you may receive, as well as the response you really want to give:
1. "I see you have a name tag and are doing something only an employee would be doing...do you work here?"
No, I actually come in and fold clothes during my free time because I love the store so much! Thank you for noticing!
2. "Why isn't this ringing up as clearance if it was randomly hanging on the clearance rack but has no other indication that it's even on sale?"
The rack is clearly advertising 50% off of coats and you brought me a swimsuit...
3. "What do you mean I can't return makeup from last Christmas without a receipt?"
Well for starters, we don't even sell the brand you're trying to return...
4. "Wait why is my total exactly what it should be?"
Price on the tag + sales tax = slightly higher total.
5. "Can you throw away this very gross, used tissue behind the register?"
Do you also have a hazmat suit I could borrow?
6. "Why doesn't my coupon work?"
You literally tried to buy the one thing that is clearly excluded in the coupon.
7. "Are you sure you don't have more in the back?"
Most stores don't even have a back stockroom so YES, I AM POSITIVE.
8. "Why do you people always ask me to open a credit card? I don't want one!"
It's store policy and I don't want to be asking you any more than you want to be asked so please don't yell at me and just say no.
9. "Have you seen my wife?"
I didn't see you enter the store and you aren't giving me any physical description so that's a negative.
And perhaps the best line of all:
10. "It doesn't ring up so I guess it's free right!? HA HA HA!"
No, Sharon, it isn't free. It will never be free.